Tracing the footprints of digital aggression: an ethnographic journey into cyber harassment against female activists in Bangladesh

Abstract

In the last few years, the utilization of social media by public figures, social advocates, and content creators has increased significantly, particularly in addressing social justice, including gender equality, human rights, and other crucial societal matters. With a large proportion of activism taking place on digital platforms, websites like Facebook have become instrumental in widespread mobilization and demonstrations. While online activism is making progress in addressing gender justice and is in the process of developing, violence against women continues to escalate in the digital realm. This thesis will investigate how cyber harassment attempts to suppress female activism in Bangladesh. To understand this, I will try to see the connection between heteropatriarchal norms and harassment. What kind of harassment do women activists face in their everyday lives? How do they navigate through this? And how does it impact their activism? It also sheds light on the experiences of female activists to highlight how heteropatriarchal norms contribute to the suppression of their activism through cyber harassment and how it can have a profound impact on a female activist's life, both personal and professional. The frequency of cyber harassment and the effects it has on Bangladeshi female activists pose a serious obstacle to gender equality. This crucial matter calls for more investigation. This thesis will contribute to the advocacy for changes in policies and laws to better protect female activists from cyber harassment and alleviate the suppression of their rights to protest, as well as develop better online safety measures, create support networks for victims, and work with law enforcement to prosecute perpetrators.